Electrical protective relay system



Novrz, 1943. H. J. CARLIN AL 2,333,520

ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE RELAY SYSTEM Filed Jan. 9, 1942 WITNESSES: 49 VENTORS' Patented Nov. 2, 1943 ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE RELAY SYSTEM Herbert J. Carlin, East Orange, N. .L, and Leslie N. Crichton, deceased, late of Livingston, N. J

Ruth M. Crichton,

administratrix, Livingston, N. J assignors to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 9, 1942, Serial No. 426,258

7 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical relay sys tems, and it has particular relation to relay systems of the type wherein an electrical relay and relay controlled apparatus are connected for energization from a common source of electrical energy.

In the relay art, it is conventional practice to connect a relay and relay controlled apparatus to a common source of electrical energy. As a specific example, reference may be made to an overcurrent relay which is employed for controlling the tripping solenoid of a circuit breaker. Such :an overcurrent relay may be energized from the secondary winding of a current transformer. When the current output of the current transformer rises above a predetermined value, the relay is actuated to place the tripping solenoid in condition for receiving energy in series with the overcurrent relay from the secondary Winding of the same current transformer. Under these conditions, the current transformer may be unable to carry the added burden without a substantial drop in current output thereof. The drop in current output of the transformer may be suflicient to permit opening of the relay contacts and the resulting discontinuation of the energization of the tripping solenoid. Since the tripping solenoid no longer receives energy from the current transformer, the output of the current transformer again rises to actuate the overcurrent relay. Actuation of the overcurrent relay again places the tripping solenoid in condition to receive energy from the secondary winding of the current transformer in series with the relay. This cycle of operation may repeat for a long period to produce what is known as a pumping operation of the overcurrent relay.

In accordance with the invention, a relay system of the type discussed in the preceding paragraph is modified to increase the efliciency or effectiveness of the relay in response to actuation thereof. Because of this increase in efiiciency or effectiveness, the reduced output of the current transformer following the energization of the tripping solenoid is sufiicient to retain the relay in actuated condition. Consequently, pumping of the relay is prevented and tripping of the associated circuit breaker is assured.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an improved electrical relay system of the type wherein a relay and relay control apparatus are connected for energization from a common source of electrical energy.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrical relay system of the type wherein a relay and relay controlled apparatus are connected for energization from a common source of electrical energy with means for increasing the effectiveness or efficiency of the relay following an actuation thereof.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an electrical relay system embodying the invention; and

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are schematic views showin modifications of the relay system illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a relay system including a relay 2 associated with an electrical circuit 3 to be protected. The electrical circuit 3 may vary appreciably in construction and operation. The circuit 3 may be a single-phase or poly-phase circuit and may be designed for operation at various frequencies. For the purpose of this discussion, it is assumed that the circuit 3 is a single-phase alternating-current circuit operating at a frequency of cycles per second.

The relay 2 may vary appreciably in construction. For the purpose of illustration, the relay 2 includes an electromagnet of generally conventional construction. This electromagnet includes a magnetic core 5 having a main pole 6 and auxiliary poles i which are spaced to define an air gap. An electro-conductive armature in the form of a disc 9, is positioned in the air gap for rotation relative to the poles. The armature 9 is carried by a shaft II which is mounted for rotation in bearings (not shown). Rotation of the shaft II is employed for carrying a movable contact l3 into and out of engagement with a fixed contact I5. Normally, the movable contact 13 is biased out of engagement with the fixed contact 15 by means of a control spring l1.

For actuating the relay 2 an energizing winding I9 is associated with the main pole 6 for producing magnetic flux therein. An adjustable tap 2| may be associated with the energizing winding 19 to vary the effective turns thereof. Auxiliary windings 23 are associated with the auxiliary pole I. These windings 23 are energized from the energizing winding l9 through a coupling winding 25 which is inductively coupled to the energizing winding IS. The coupling winding 25 is connected to the auxiliary windings 23 through a transformer 21 whichconventionally is termed a torque compensator.

The construction and operation of the relay 2 as thus far described are well understood in the art. When the energizing winding I9 is energized by alternating current, a shifting magnetic field is established in the air gap between the main pole 6 and the auxiliary pole 1. When the torque applied to the armature 9 by this shifting magnetic field becomes suflicient to overcome the bias of the control spring I1 the movable contact I3 is actuated into engagement with the fixed contact I5.

Actuation of the movable contact I3 into en; gagement with the fixed contact is employed to control any desired translating means, such as the tripping solenoid 29 ,of a circuit breaker 3|. In the specific embodiment of Fig. 1, the circuit breaker 3| is employed to control the connection of the circuit 3 to an adjacent circuit or adjacent apparatus.

As previously indicated, it is desirable in some cases to connect the energizing winding 19 and the tripping solenoid 29 for energization from a common source of electrical energy. To this end, the energizing winding and the tripping solenoid are connected to the secondary winding 33 of a current transformer associated with one conductor of the circuit 3. Consequently, the energizing winding l9 of the relay 2 is energized in accordance with current flowing in the circuit 3. The energizing circuit for the energiz ing winding l9 may be traced from one terminal of the secondary winding 33 through a conduc: tor 35, the energizing winding 19, the adjustable tap 2|, a conductor 31, a conductor 39, the trip.- ping solenoid 29, and the conductor 4| to the remaining terminal of the secondary winding.

Under normal conditions of operation the solenoid 29 is bypassed or shunted by a circuit which maybe traced from one terminal of the tripping solenoid through the conductor 39, a conductor 43, a movable contact of an auxiliary relay 41, a fixed contact 49 of the auxiliary relay 51, a conductor 5| and a conductor 4| to the re,- maining terminal of the tripping solenoid. Con: sequently, as long as the contacts 45. and Q9 of the auxiliary relay 4! remain closed, the tripping solenoid 29 is deenergized. The movable contact 45 may be mounted on a leaf spring 53 which is connected to a magnetic armature or core 55 for movement therewith. The magnetic core 55 is actuated by'a winding 51 to separate the con: tacts 45, and 49.

For energizing the winding 51 of the auxiliary relay 41, a winding 59 is inductively coupled to the energizing winding 19. As shown in Fig. 1, the winding 59 is positioned about the main pole 6. When the relay 2 operates to close its con: tacts l3 and IS, an energizing circuit is estahe. lished for the auxiliary relay 41 which may be traced from one terminal of the winding 59 through a conductor 6|, the movable contact. l3, the fixed contact l5, a conductor 63, the energizing winding 51, and a. conductor 65 to the remaining terminal of the winding 59.

It is believed that the operation, of the relay system thus far described is apparent from the foregoing discussion. Under normal conditions of operation, the energizing winding I9 of the relay 2 is energized from the secondary winding 33 of the current transformer through a circuit which may be traced from one terminal of the secondary winding 33 through the conductor 35, the energizing winding l9, the adjustable tap 2!, the conductor 31, the conductor 43, the contacts 45 and 49, and the, conductor 5| to the rernain ing terminal of'the secondary winding. When the current flowing in the circuit 3 rises'to, an excessive value, such that the torque applied to the armature 9 of the relay 2 is suflicient to overcome the bias of the control spring H, the armature moves the contacts 13 and 55 into engagement. Such engagement establishes an energizing circuit for the auxiliary relay 41 to separate the contacts 45 and 49. Separation of the contacts and 49 permits current to pass through the tripping solenoid 29 which is connectegl in series with the energizing winding 19 for energization from the secondary winding 33. yEnergization of the tripping solenoid 25 operates to trip thecircuit breaker 31.

As previously explained, the addition of the solenoid 29 to the effective circuit energized by the secondary winding 33 may result in a substantial drop in the current output of the secondary winding. Such a drop in current output in turn may result in a pumping operation of the relay 2. Pumping of the relay 2 also may be caused by operation of the auxiliary relay 41. t w l h ob e ved hat energy or h au i a y rela i s plied m the el 2- Thi nds to educe h en ailable r o erati the dis for ea h. s r of t e n act 3 and ii- According to the invention, pumping of relay 2 under these circumstances is prevented by ncre i t efficiency o ef t ve ess. o he e ay 2 in po to nc sement of the co a ts 3 and o s nd, encasement c the contacts l3 and l5 is utilized for connecting a ca ac ve ea ah Such a a a a tor 51. ac o t W ndin In he mod fi ation hown n F h a a to .61 is connected between the conductors $3 and 65. It will be understood that the capacitor 51 receives a lead.- ing current from the winding 59.

The relationship between the winding 59-and the energizing winding 19 is such that these windings form, respectively, the secondary and primary windings of a transformer. The cur.- rent passing through the energizing winding I9 is determined substantially by the characteristics of the current transformer 33. The. effect of the leading component of current taken by the capacitor 61 is to increase themagnetizing com.- .ponent of the current flowing through the energizing winding 19. Since an increase inthe mag. netizing component increases the torqueapplied tothe armature 9. it follows that the capacitor 61 increases the effectiveness or efficiency of the relay 2- with respect tothe energization of the energizing winding !9. Inasmuch as the effectiveness or efliciency of the relay 2 isincreased in response to a. closure of the contacts l3 and I5 the contacts will remain closed even though the current output of the secondary windings 33 decreases substantially. Therefore, the capacitor .1-,serves to eliminate a pumping action of the relay. 2,

Fig. 2shows a preferred embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 2, the relay 2, auxiliary relay ,4] and the secondary winding 33 of the-current transformer areassociated in substantially the same manner. as Fig. l. Howeventhecapacitor 5. of h s. is ot employ In Fig. 2, the winding 51 of the auxiliary. relay 41 is connected toreceive energyconductively iroin the secondary Winding 33fol1owlng a separation of, the contacts 45 and 49.. Forthis pur-. 205?. e minal of thewincling ilxmayb nected through a suitable conductor-191w the movable contact 45. The remaining terminal of the w nding?! r misstat d ihrcceh a, suitah; I u redress gush. 9.5. re is er :2; to. the. area contact 49. Except for the omission of the capacitor 61, the operation of the various parts in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is substantially the same and a detailed discussion of the operation of the system shown in Fig. 2 appears to be unnecessary. However, the modification in the operation of the relay introduced bythe connections of the Winding 51 across the contacts 45 and 49 may briefly be set forth.

When the contacts 45 and 49 separate following an engagement of the contacts l3 and I5, the energizing winding 51 receives energy not only from the winding 59 but additionally receives energy in accordance with the voltage across the tripping solenoid 29. The instantaneous directions of flow of currents supplied from these two sources are shown respectively, by the arrows A and B.

It will be observed that the directions of flow of the currents supplied to the winding 51 are such that the current represented by the arrow B assists in maintaining the contacts 45 and 49 separated after an operation of the auxiliary relay 41. Consequently, a positive retention of the relay 4'! in its open condition is assured.

With respect to the winding 59, it will be observed that the currents represented by the arrows A and B flow in opposite directions. In other words, the direction of flow of the current represented by the arrow B is such as to assist in magnetizing the magnetic core 5 and results in an increase in effectiveness or efiiciency of the relay 2 for any energization of the energizing winding I9. Since the current represented by the arrow B flows in such a direction as to tend to return energy to the magnetic core 5, a drop in the current output of the secondary winding 33 resulting from the energization of the tripping solenoid 29 therefrom does not result in a separation of the contacts l3 and I5.

The purpose of the resistor 12 is to prevent the establishment of a short circuit across the winding 51 when the contacts 45 and 49 are closed. The resistor 12 has a resistance value selected to permit the flow of a reasonable amount of current represented by the arrow B. At the same time, the presence of the resistor 12 permits the initial energization of the winding 51 fro-m the winding 59.

In Fig. 3, a relay 2a is illustrated which corresponds to the relay 2 of Figs. 1 and 2. The only essential distinction between the relay 2a and the relay 2 resides in the positioning of the movable contact |3a normally to engage the fixed contact |5a. In other words, the control spring I! normally biases the movable contact |3a in engagement with the fixed contact |5a. Energization of the energizing winding IQ of the relay 2a operates to separate the contacts |3a and |5a.

A further distinction present in the relay system illustrated in Fig. 3 resides in the connection of the auxiliary relay 4'! across the winding 59. This connection may be traced from one terminal of the winding 59 through a conductor 15, a conductor 16, a Winding 51, a conductor 19, and an impedance such as a resistor 8|, to the remaining terminal of the winding 59.

The contacts |3a and |5a are connected in a circuit which operates under normal conditions to establish a bypass or shunt around the winding 51. This circuit may be traced readily in Fig. 3. The purpose of the impedance or resistor 8| is to restrict the current supplied by the winding 59'When the contacts |3a and |5a are in closed condition.

Since the general operation of the relay system shown in Fig. 3 will be apparent from the discussion of Figs. 1 and 2, it is believed that a discussion of the distinctions between the construction shown in Fig. 3 and those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will sufilce.

When the value of current flowing through the energizing winding l9 rises above a predetermined value, the contacts |3a and |5a separate to open the bypass or shunt circuit normally established around the winding 51. Consequently, the winding 51 is in condition to receive energy from the winding 59 and operates to open the contacts 45 and 49 of the auxiliary relay 41. Separation of the contacts 45 and 49 operates in a manner previously discussed to energize the tripping solenoid 29.

As a result of the separation of the contacts |3a and I5a, the impedance of the energizing winding 51 is effectively included in the circuit energized from the winding 59. The resulting increase in the impedance of the circuit supplied from the winding 59 results in a reduction in current flowing therethrough and the amount of energy required by the winding 59 from the main pole 6. Since the winding 59 diverts less energy from the magnetic core 5, the effectiveness or efiiciency of the relay 2a for response to current flowing in the energizing winding I9 is substantially increased. For this reason, the relay 2a substantially eliminates any pumping tendency caused by a reduction in the current output of the secondary winding 33 when the tripping solenoid 29 is energized therefrom.

The modification illustrated in Fig. l resembles in most respects that shown in Fig. 2. The only difference between these modifications resides in the location of the resistor 12. In Fig. 4, the resistor 12 is connected between the conductors 4| and 6|. This location of the resistor 12 results in a current flow through the winding 59 even when the relay contacts l3 and I5 are separated. The circuit for this current flow may be traced from one terminal of the winding 59 through the conductor 6|, the resistor 12, the conductor 4|, the conductor 5|, the contacts 49 and 45 of the auxiliary relay 41, the conductor 10 and the conductor 65, to the remaining terminal of the winding 59. Except for this initial flow of current through the resistor 12, which resembles the initial flow of current in the system of Fig. 3, the operation of the system illustrated in Fig. 4 is substantially the same as that discussed with reference to the system illustrated in Fig. 2. For this reason, a detailed discussion of Fig. 4 appears unnecessary.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments thereof, numerous modifications are possible. Therefore, the invention is to be restricted only by the appended claims as interpreted in view of the prior art.

It is claimed:

1. In an electrical relay system, electro-respom sive translating means, a relay having an energizing winding, means connecting said translating means and said energizing winding for energization from a common source of electrical energy, control means operable from a condition normally rendering said translating means ineffective to a condition rendering said translating means effective for receiving energy from the source employed for energizing said energizing winding, means. responsive to, actuation of said relay for operating said controlmeans to place said-translating means in said effective condition, andvmeans responsive. to operation of said con.-- trol: means for increasingtheeflective. energizertion of said: relay.

2.. Inan electrical.relay'system; electric-responsive translating means, a relay having arr-energiz ing winding, means connecting? said translating means and saidenergizing means forenergia'ation. from. a. common source; of electrical energy,v con:-- trol means. operable'from' a condition normally: rendering said translating: means ineffective to'-' a: condition rendering said translating means effective for receiving energy from the source em.- pl'oyed for energizing said: energizing winding, current-energized means responsive-- to actuation". of said relay for operating said controlhmea-ns to place said translating means in said efiectivexcondition, and means responsive; tooperation of said control means for directing current passing through said. energizing winding intosaid cur-= rent-energized means, whereby said? current assists in maintaining saidz' relay'in. actuated condi-- tion.

3. In an electrical relay system, electro-responsive translating means, a first delay having an energizing winding, means connecting saidsenergizi-ng winding in series with said translating means: for energzation from. a commonsourceof electrical energy, a. second relay having contact means connected across said" translating: means for; preventing energization of. said translating means, said: second relay including operating means effective when energized for controlling said contact means. to permit energizationof said translating means, meansv connecting said operating means in parallel with said translating means for receiving: energy in parallel therewith when said contact meansare in open" cc-ndition, and means responsive to the condition of said first relay for inductively coupling said operating means" to said energizing means, whereby said first relay controls theinductive transmission of energy from said energizing. winding tosa-id op:- erating means.

4.- Inr an electrical relay system, a first electrical. relay having, a first energizing, winding and having first contact means responsive to the condition of said energizing winding, electrically energized translating means, acurrent. transformer having a secondary winding, means. connecting said translating means and said. energizingwinding in series for energiza-tionz from said secondary winding, a second electrical relay-hav-- ingma second energizing; winding and having secand contact means responsive to theconditionofsaid second energizing Winding, means inductive.- ly coupling said second energizing Winding: to said first energizing, winding for energization therefrom, said last-named' means including. said first contact meansfor controlling the.- energization of said. second energizing winding fromsaid first energizing winding in accordance with the energization of said first energizing. winding, means connecting said second contact. means across said translating. meansfor controlling the energization thereof in. accordance. withtheienlergization of said. second energizing winding, and means including an. element. having. substantial impedance connecting. said second energizing winding across saidtramlating means for addi tively energizing. said second energizing. winding,

in. accordance with the voltage across said trans.- lating means, said second energizing winding having'an. impedance substantially larger than that or. said. element.

5; Inan electrical relay system, electro-responsive translating. means, a first relay having an energizing winding. for producing. magnetic flux, means; connecting: saidenergizing. winding and said translating means for energization from a common source of electrical. energy,v arsecond-relay haying; contact meansconnected across said translating means for preventing energization of said translating means; said second relay including, operating means efiective when energized for controlling said contact means to permit energization of said translating, means, means responsive tdmagnetic flux produced by said energizing winding for inductively coupling said operating. means to said energizing winding, whereby said operating means is energized from said energizing winding, and; capacitance means associated with said operating means for controlling the. power factor of energy transmitted through said inductive coupling to increase the efiective production of said magnetic flux in response to an operation of saidfirst relay.

6.. In anelectrical relay system, electro-responsive translating means, a first relay having an energizing winding, means connecting said energizing winding in series with said translating means. for energization from a common source of. electrical energy, a second relay having contact means connected across said translating means for. preventing energization of said translating, means, said second relay including operating means effective when energized for controlling said contact means to permit energization of said translating means, means establishing. an auxiliary circuit for receiving electrical energy from said energizing winding, and means responsive to actuation. of said first relay for decreasing. the amount of energy supplied by said energizing. winding to said, auxiliary circuit, said last-named means including means for operatively energizing said. operating means trom said energizing winding.

7.. In an electrical. relay system, electro-responsive translating, means, a first relay having an energizing winding, means connecti'ngsaid. energizing. winding, in series with said translating meansfor energiz'ation from a common source of electricalenergy', a second relay having contact means connected across said translating means for preventing energization of said translating means, said second relay including operating means effective when energized foncontrolling said contact means to permit energization of said translating means, anauxiliary circuit for" ener-' gizing'said-seoond relay, said-auxiliary circuit ineludingv an auxiliary winding'inductively coupled to said energizing Winding for receiving electricalenengy therefrom, and means connectingsaid auxiliary winding to said second relay for sup plying; energy'thereto said: firstrelay having normally. closed. contact meansiconn'ecte'd across said second. relay for preventing energizationthereot', sai'd' first relay being efiective when properly en ergized to open its. contact means to. permit-energization ofsaidsecond relay.

HERBERT'J. CARLIN. RUTH CRICHTON, Administmtrim of'the- Estate oj LesZie N-L Crichton,

Deceased. 

